Cancer battle led Scott Marvin to give back to community

Observing Marvin’s volunteer efforts led Charlene Wielfaert, former director at The Daily Bread of Lenawee soup kitchen, to nominate him for The Daily Telegram’s Citizen of the Year recognition.

“I first got to know Scott in 2003 because he had come in to eat, then he became a volunteer, and now he is on the board,” Wielfaert said. “He’s stayed in touch all these years. He’s always involved in something and he cares immensely for others.”

Marvin’s community involvement doesn’t stop with The Daily Bread—his list of organizations for which he has given time, fundraising efforts and support are numerous and seems to grow every year.

“Scott has worked tirelessly to educate the community about people who have disabilities and has raised money for non-profit organizations such as Relay for Life, Hickman Cancer Center, Associated Charities, Lukemia and Lymphoma Society and Walk for the Poor,” Wielfaert said.

Marvin also serves as the diversity and outreach coordinator and as a chairperson for the Disability Awareness Committee for the Lenawee Disability Connection. He mentors students at local schools, homeless shelters, the HOPE Community Center and Special Olympics.

Marvin said he began helping others after cancer changed his life in 1996 at age 21.

“Before I became a cancer survivor, my priorities weren’t in order,” he said. “I was working 70 hours a week and trying to get through college; the cancer was a real wake-up call.”

Now he works just as hard at reaching out to others in need in the community.

“I needed the help at one time and I’m trying to pay it forward and give back to others.”

As a volunteer driver for the Lenawee County Department on Aging, Marvin provides transport to doctors, dentists, physical therapy, dialysis treatments and hearing aid screenings for those 60 and older.

“We are most grateful to have Scott Marvin as a volunteer for this incredible service,” said Libby Zilke, volunteer coordinator at the department on aging. “His patience in providing transportation for clients is remarkable. He is most willing to assist his clients in the challenges of getting in and out of the vehicle, but also maneuvering them in, getting into the doctor’s offices and hospitals.”

“Scott is a wonderful person — one of the most humble and unselfish people that I know,” said April Lienau, president of The Daily Bread board. “He’s served on our board for several months and he’s done everything from serving meals to coming up with great ideas for fundraising.”

Marvin, who said he is in recovery from a mental disability himself, feels compelled to educate others on what it means to have a disability.

“There’s a stigma we really need to move past,” he said. “I believe in treating others how you want to be treated and be kind to one another. I love the quote from Temple Grandin: I am different, not less.”

Marvin’s passion and advocacy has earned him recognition and awards. In 2013, he was one of six presented with the Michigan Development Disabilities Council’s Community Outreach Award for his work to obtain signatures for the Shred the Hate campaign. This campaign seeks to stop hateful speech toward those with disabilities. He also advocates for gay rights.

“Scott’s value system is to serve others,” said Bill Ross, a member of Civitan of Lenawee, who works with Marvin at the HOPE Center. “He spends a very high percentage of his time in service to help others, anything from transporting people to appointments to going to meetings to speak about helping those with disabilities — he’s not afraid to speak out and he becomes our voice.”

“I am proud of him,” said Wielfaert. “He really believes in what he does and he works tirelessly. He is truly special.”

“I get so much from it and I’m helping others out,” Marvin said. “I almost died at age 21. I’m very thankful and blessed to be here.”